CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a political debate, the candidates might be on the spot but the moderator is on the hot seat.
West Virginia’s second gubernatorial debate between Republican Bill Cole and Democrat Jim Justice is Tuesday night.
At the center of the debate will be moderator Hoppy Kercheval, a veteran of the format.
Leading up to the debate, Kercheval, host of “Talkline” on MetroNews, provided the opportunity for a few questions to be turned on him.
Brad McElhinny: Do you remember the first statewide debate you ever moderated?
Kercheval: I believe it was Cecil Underwood and Robert Mollohan in 1956. Just kidding. No, I don’t. Someone told me they remembered that I wore a really awful sports coat, though.
MORE Watch C-SPAN’s video of the 1996 West Virginia gubernatorial debate
McElhinny: What’s the goal of a statewide debate? What would you consider a success?
Kercheval: Getting the candidates to talk candidly about their ideas in a way that voters can compare and contrast, while also getting a sense of who they are as people and what kind of leader they would be.
McElhinny: What characteristics does a good debate question have?
Kercheval: In my view, the best questions are rooted in comments the candidates have made or positions they have taken. That way you can drill down a little deeper.
McElhinny: There’s been some talk about standing or sitting for the debate involving Jim Justice and Bill Cole. Do you think it makes a difference in terms of mood and tone?
Kercheval: Not substantially. The tone of the debate will be set by the answers and how willing the candidates are to criticize each other.
McElhinny: With the presidential debates, there’s been discussion of whether debate moderators have a responsibility to check facts in real time. What’s your philosophy on that?
Kercheval: That’s tricky. The moderator has a lot going on without trying to fact check every answer in real time. I do think it’s reasonable, however, for the moderator to be prepared so if a candidate makes an obvious switch in positions, it can be noted.
McElhinny: What moderators do you think have done a good job on presidential debates of the past? And why?
Kercheval: None come to mind, but that’s probably a good thing. When you remember the moderator it must have been because he/she did a bad job or tried to make the debate too much about themselves.
McElhinny: Have you seen some presidential debate moderators where you thought, “Boy, that just wasn’t good?”
Kercheval: Do you think I would answer that given that I’ll be in the moderator’s chair Tuesday night?!
McElhinny: Do you get nervous before moderating a debate? Or do you have fun?
Kercheval: A combination of both. It’s natural to be nervous, but you also have to let yourself go enough to relax and be in the moment.
Cole and Justice will debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Clay Center. The debate, sponsored by the West Virginia Broadcaster’s Association and Citynet, will be moderated by Hoppy Kercheval of MetroNews. It will be aired live across the state on television and radio. It also will be streamed on www.WVMetroNews.com
Early voting starts Oct. 26 and goes through Nov. 5.
Election Day is Nov. 8.